Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Saving His Mate, book 2 in The Year of Hearts, is now here! If you've already read book 1, Tasting Cherry Blossoms, you know we left Lance alone in the garden at Ettore's castle with Tavok hovering nearby. Read on to find out what happens...

Blurb:

Lance devoted his life to serving a vampire, Elizabella,
until the day she committed suicide. These tragic events bring another vampire,
Tavok, into his life. Though Lance knows immediately that he and Tavok belong
together, he wonders if he deserves to find love while still so overcome by
grief.

Tavok can hardly control himself when he meets Lance, his
fated mate. Tavok knows Lance needs time to grieve, and he does his best to
wait. Everything is perfect when they finally make love, but then Kadlin, Elizabella’s
twin, arrives and makes no secret of his desire to possess Lance. Kadlin
disappeared years ago after aligning himself with a demon, and Tavok will do
anything to keep him away from Lance.

When Kadlin spirits Lance away to the demon realm, Tavok is
racing against time to save his mate before Kadlin does something that will
separate the two lovers forever.

Lance turned and
looked behind him, searching for Tavok. Movement within an archway caught his
eye, and he stood and walked in that direction. He found Tavok concealing
himself in a corner, looking guilty and partially hiding his face behind his
long blond hair.

Lance bowed
slightly. “Your care is appreciated, my lord, but you’ll only tire yourself
worrying about me all the time.”

“You’re all I can
think about, Lance. I can’t help it.” Tavok came out of the corner and stood
only inches away. “And please use my name. It makes me happy.”

Lance appreciated
Tavok’s bluntness, yet something about it felt very demanding now. “I’m
adjusting. Forgive me,” Lance said. Tavok licked his lips, and Lance mirrored
the gesture, longing to kiss him. They had not kissed yet, though Tavok healing
his wound had made Lance’s blood boil like no kiss ever had.

“How are you? I
know you need time, but I want nothing more than to comfort you.”

My greatest
comfort would be found with my cock buried deep inside you. “I know … Tavok.” Lance cast his gaze down. “I am
well. She was unhappy, and if the gods are merciful she is now at peace. I will
recover from losing her far sooner than I will forget how I failed her.”

“You loved her so
much.”

Tavok’s whispered
words nearly shattered Lance’s heart. He’d never heard such sadness in anyone’s
voice, not even Elizabella’s. He made himself look into Tavok’s eyes, knowing
he had to set this straight.

“Tavok, I know
what you’re thinking, what everyone thinks. I was not in love with her. I am
not mourning the loss of a lover. She was so good to me. And after she lost her
mate,” he shook his head, feeling momentarily overwhelmed, “she needed me so
much. I don’t know why she chose me, but it pleased me that I could give her
something no one else could. It was never sexual or romantic.”

Tavok looked
extremely relieved, though he did a good job of composing his features under
Lance’s scrutiny. “I am glad to hear that, but it seems unfeeling of me to be
happy while you’re suffering.”

“I know you can’t
help it.” Lance smiled sadly. “When she met her mate, she came home singing.
She danced around the foyer, twirling like a little girl in a new gown.” His
smile faded as he thought of the foyer and pictured her jumping to her death.

“Lance?”

“Yes?”

Tavok came forward
and took Lance’s face gently in his hands. “We can talk about it, or we can be
silent on the subject. I want to spend the evening getting to know you. Tell me
what you need, and you shall have it.”

Lance looked into
Tavok’s eyes, which were green now. Vampire’s irises remained white most of the
time, and crimson and black were the only colors that had the same meaning for
all of them. Was green sadness for Tavok? Longing? Lance didn’t know, but
spending the evening together would help him learn. “I would enjoy spending the
evening with you.”

“Then join me in
my room. We can talk or play a game of castles.” Tavok smiled. “I could read
you some of Ettore’s bad poetry.”

Lance gave him a
small smile. “I have not played castles in so long, I am sure you would win,
and I will pass on the poetry. I want to talk with you.” I want to touch
you, want to take you.

“Good. I’ll walk
you back. I need to feed, but I will only leave you a few minutes.”

Lance grabbed
Tavok’s hands as he began to pull away, and Tavok stared at him with wide eyes.
Lance released Tavok’s hands after a moment, trying to rationalize his
reaction. The idea of Tavok taking from another angered and upset him.

“Only at the end,
after her wits were completely gone. This has nothing to do with her. I’ve kept
myself at a distance, but I was not rejecting you. You should be drinking from
me.” While he didn’t want to be dominated or subdued, he didn’t like thinking
of Tavok drinking from another more often than he had to. “I can’t give you as
much as you need until I’m turned, but feed from me tonight?”

Tavok pressed
close and put his arms around Lance’s neck. “I’m happy to hear you have no
doubts about me turning you. I could not go on without you if you chose to live
a human lifespan.” He ran one hand into Lance’s hair. “I only wanted to give
you time, but I have been longing to drink from you since I first scented your
blood. That brief taste as I healed your wound was not enough. Oh yes, I’ll
feed from you tonight.”

The rapturous and
lusty expression on Tavok’s face made Lance moan, and he wrapped his arms
around Tavok, whose eyes widened again in surprise. They were starting to go
crimson already. Lance crushed his mouth against Tavok’s. The vampire
stiffened, but then he began to fight for control. The clash of teeth and
tongues made Lance hard, and he knew Tavok could feel it. Tavok tightened his
fingers in Lance’s hair. Feeling even bolder when Tavok sighed, Lance grabbed
his hips and began to grind their bodies together.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

James got his fill of domineering behavior in his last
relationship, so he immediately shies away when he meets Hikaru, who makes his
interest aggressively clear from the start. While James can’t deny that he
wants Hikaru, he can’t push past his issues and relax around him.

Hikaru isn’t going to take no for an answer because he can
see the undeniable desire in James’ eyes. An erotic encounter after work
confirms that they both want the same thing and know exactly how to give it to
each other. When Hikaru meets—and is threatened by— James’ ex-boyfriend, he
begins to understand why James can’t open up completely. Now his priority is
not only protecting James but also showing him how fulfilling complete
surrender can be ... with the right person.

James lay spent and content in
Hikaru’s arms that evening. He could almost forget what had caused them to
spend the day together. After showering and eating, they’d settled in the
living room with a couple of movies, both of them dozing off near the end of
the second one. The cut on his hand throbbed a little every now and then, but
it hadn’t really caused him any problems. He ran his palm over Hikaru’s chest
as he listened to his steady breathing. When his phone rang, he felt so at ease
and relaxed he reached for it and answered it without even checking who it was.

“Hello?”

“So are you going to work
tomorrow, or are you just gonna stay there and keep letting him fuck you?”

James stiffened, his breath
catching in his throat. He looked at Hikaru, whose eyes had snapped open. The
man who had looked so gentle moments earlier looked deadly now.

“How did you get this number?”
James asked. As much as he wanted to hang up on Peter, he wanted an answer to
that question. He needed to know which of his friends could no longer be
trusted.

Peter laughed. “Not all of our
friends are on your side, you know. It wasn’t that hard.”

James struggled to straighten up,
but it was hard with only one hand free. Hikaru helped him sit up on the couch,
but then he extended his hand for the phone. His determined look made James
hesitate. Did he hang up or let Hikaru talk to Peter? Would that make things
better or worse?

“James, are you there? You
suckin’ his dick or what?”

“Peter, just shut up! We are
done! I never want to see you again. I’m sorry you can’t stand me being with
someone else, but that is not my problem.”

Peter didn’t react at first. “He
must have you pretty hot. You never talked to me like that before. So what’s he
been doin’ to you? Big, dumb brute like that must be hung.”

James opened his mouth, but he
was so angry he couldn’t form words. Hikaru put his hand on the phone and
looked into James’ eyes with determined pleading. After a slight nod from
James, Hikaru took the phone.

“I could hear your whiney voice
loud and clear, asshole, and I’m not happy with any of the things I heard.”

James moved away, not wanting to
hear Peter’s voice anymore. He paced in front of the window, looking outside
for Peter’s car. He didn’t see it, but he still closed the blinds and drew the
curtains completely shut.

“I don’t give a fuck what you say
about me, but you say that—or anything like it—when we’re face to face, and I
will give you the beating of your life.”

Hikaru’s tone sent a chill down
James’ spine. Why was this happening? Why was his chance at happiness being
contaminated this way?

“You just hear me. You show up
within fifty feet of the store, and I call the cops.” He hung up and threw the
phone against the cushion beside him, causing it to bounce a couple of feet in
the air.

James rubbed the back of his
neck, his eyes downcast, but then he looked up. “He’s stupid, but he does take
us calling the cops seriously. He won’t cause problems at the store.”

“I don’t give a fuck about the
store. I’m worried about you. This guy’s a sadistic perv!” Hikaru stood and
tried to put his arms around James.

James wiggled away, but Hikaru
wouldn’t let him get away completely. He held both of James’ wrists and just
stood there until James looked at him. “I won’t let him hurt you anymore.”

“It’s not your problem.”

“It is.” He pushed James’ hands
behind his back and held them there, pressing close. “He needs to learn that
you’re my boyfriend now.”

“Am I?” James asked, wanting to
tease Hikaru, craving nothing more than getting lost in the moment. He felt so
safe in his embrace.

Hikaru nuzzled against his neck
and licked his ear. “Yes.” After releasing a long sigh, he pulled back. “We’re
in this together, completely. No more apologies or regrets, just us working
together to figure it out.”

Hikaru pulled him back over to
the couch. “And right now, I think we have time for one more of these
delightful and life-affirming horror movies before bed.”

James sat down and playfully eyed
Hikaru as though he were offended. “I like horror. It’s as much of an escape as
any other genre.”

“I wasn’t knockin’ it.”

James took a deep breath. The
next few days, or even weeks, might be hard, but Hikaru made him feel like he
could handle it. “Okay, then.” He shifted on the couch to look at the middle
DVD shelf. “Chainsaws or tentacles?”

“We got anything with both?”

James smiled because he knew
Hikaru was trying to be funny, and then he triumphantly pulled down The
Maniac from Swampy Manor. “We do indeed.”

Hikaru’s eyes went wide, but then
he laughed. “Glad I asked.”

James popped the DVD in. “Glad
you’re here.” He turned the light off and snuggled down into the cushions and
Hikaru’s arms. When Hikaru leaned over and kissed the top of his head, he was
finally able to relax completely again.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

The first volume in my brand new m/m series, The Year of Hearts, is here! Tasting Cherry Blossoms is the story of Ettore (whose name rhymes with "story" :-) and his mate Simon. Ettore had been roaming around in my brain for a long time without a story, in much the same way he's been without his mate in this book. I am just as happy to finally tell his story as he is to find Simon in the opening scene of the tale. Keep reading to find out more about Ettore and Simon and their world.

****

Welcome to Valladora, a world where vampires rule and everyone dreams of being destined to be a vampire's mate.

Well, most everyone...

Simon is content being a servant and doesn't like for attention of any kind to be focused on him. When he finds out he is destined to be Ettore's mate, he can't wrap his brain around the idea, even though he knows very well that his destiny is written in his blood. Vampires are never wrong about this connection, but Simon still can't believe something so wondrous could be meant for someone as ordinary as him.

Ettore doesn't find Simon ordinary in any way and actually finds his humility endearing. At the same time, he wants Simon to get over all of this so they can be together. I've dismissed and discarded many characters over the years, but I never scratched Ettore's name off my list. Ettore is most definitely an alpha, but in a more quiet and steadfast way. He won't take no for an answer, but he shows patience--and makes all the right moves--instead of forcing his reluctant lover to submit, and this is my favorite part of their story.

****

Blurb:

Simon has never feared the vampires who rule Valladora, yet
he feels stunned and apprehensive when he meets Lord Ettore. The handsome
vampire almost immediately declares that Simon is his mate, and though he knows
he should feel honored, Simon can’t help resisting something that sounds
impossible.

Ettore is overjoyed at finally finding his mate, even if the
beautiful young man proves reluctant. Ettore is patient, enjoying the slow
seduction despite his desire for Simon to give himself completely and stop holding
back. When Simon disappears without a trace, Ettore doesn’t know if he should
blame his political enemies or Simon’s reluctance to accept his love.

No matter what, Ettore is going to find Simon and bring him
home. He knows their love is meant to be and will not rest until Simon is back
in his arms, willingly offering both his blood and his heart.

Simon shifted
position on the ground again, but he went tumbling forward when some dirt and
rocks gave way under his right foot. His hand came down on the shears he’d been
using, and he jerked to the side, clutching his hand. When the throbbing
subsided a little, he looked down at his slashed palm. Blood dripped from his
hand. He winced when he flexed his fingers, and then he started to rise to his
feet.

A shadow fell
across him, and a chill swept up his spine when he looked up to see who had
approached. The man was several inches taller than he was, with broad shoulders
and long white hair. His irises held no color, but as he lowered his gaze to
Simon’s hand, they went crimson.

One of his
master’s guests. One of the vampires.

“Are you all
right?” the man asked.

“Yes, though I’ve
cut myself.” Simon knew what he had to do. He was a servant, and his own master
served this vampire. He would be punished severely if he did not offer his
blood to him. He would never be forced, but it would be viewed as the rudest of
affronts. Taking a humble and submissive pose, he moved to kneel on one knee
and offered his bleeding hand to the vampire. “Please, I would be honored.”

Simon could not
hide his surprise when the vampire gathered his flowing golden robes and
mirrored Simon’s position on the ground. He took Simon’s hand and smiled, and
Simon gasped at the warmth of his fingers. Weren’t vampires cold to the touch?
Simon lowered his gaze. He knew very little about vampires aside from what
other servants said, so he had no idea what might be considered offensive.

“Please look at
me.”

Simon lifted his
head easily enough, the vampire’s touch and words calming him.

“Your blood smells
wonderful.” The vampire lowered his tongue to Simon’s hand and lapped at the
blood pooling in his palm. Simon couldn’t tear his gaze away anymore than he
could ignore the sensations running through his body. His cock hardened when
the vampire licked the wound and healed it. And he looked at Simon the entire
time. He licked every inch of Simon’s hand to get all of the blood, and when he
was finished he held Simon’s palm against his face.

“What is your
name?” the vampire whispered.

“Simon.” He had a
hard time keeping his voice steady, especially as his erection didn’t flag
immediately.

“I’m Ettore.” He kissed
Simon’s palm and rose to his feet, drawing Simon with him. “And I have never
tasted blood like yours before.”

Simon didn’t know
how to respond. He lowered his eyes and managed to say, “I am glad it pleased
you.”

Ettore took him by
the chin and made him look up. “Stop lowering your gaze that way.”

Wasn’t that what
he was supposed to do? “I am a servant.”

“Not for long. I
am going to speak with your master right now.”

The vampire’s
words killed the last bit of the desire that had been surging in his cock.
“What? My lord, what have I done?”

Ettore smiled,
looking at Simon as though his behavior amused him somehow. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-two.”

“You knew it was
proper to offer me your blood, yet you don’t seem to know much about vampires.”
He inched closer and stroked Simon’s cheek. “The fact that I asked for your
name and gave you mine in this intimate setting is significant, as is the fact
that your blood pleased me so much. You are not in trouble.” He dropped a kiss
against Simon’s lower lip. “You are my mate.”

Simon didn’t even
have time to react to the unexpected kiss. When he heard the word mate, he felt the bottom drop out of his stomach as blood
rushed in his ears. He couldn’t have heard right—and he couldn’t be this
vampire’s mate! They were both men, so how could they mate? The vampire could
turn him, but they could not mate. Also, he knew the vampires his master served
were part of the royal family, so heirs were essential, no matter how many
other family members might be ahead of Ettore in line for the crown.

Ettore brought him
back to reality by pulling him into his arms. Simon looked up, holding to the
vampire’s upper arms to steady himself.

“You are
adorable,” Ettore said. “I’ve waited over two hundred years to find you, and I
could not be happier. Stop looking so stunned.”

“Two hundred
years?” Simon whispered, amazed he could even make his voice respond that much.

“My parents were
beginning to worry, and my older siblings all tease me, but now they shall stop
their teasing. I have finally found you.”

“I’m a man.”

Ettore laughed.
“Yes, I know that, and now I understand why I prefer men in my bed. My fated
one is a man. I suspected, but I did not want to assume.”